If you haven’t had a chance yet to listen to Pete Mancini’s Flying First Class, here’s a reminder that you’re missing out on last spring’s album. Mancini, who was the lead singer for Butcher’s Blind, has made a career out of cooly detached tales of frustration, nostalgia, and tragedy.
Pete usually focuses on the blues, but for “Back in Bakersfield” he opted for a bluegrass sound. While the song’s subject matter is serious, he told Americana Highways that he added some levity to the process:
“When I was down in Nashville, Buddy Woodward challenged me to write lyrics to an old fiddle tune we were jamming on. I called my buddy Travis McKeveny and we ended up with the story of a homeless veteran. Sadly this is an all too common problem in our society, as we don’t put enough emphasis on taking care of the men and women who protect us everyday. I have had the opportunity to play music for veterans in recovery at the local VA and it was an experience I won’t soon forget.
“As the album came together, I thought it would be funny to drop a hardcore traditional bluegrass track in the middle of a rock record, and that’s exactly what ended up happening. Buddy and Jenny took the song to another level with their amazing playing.”
Pete’s on tour in New York state this month. He’s a an awesome dude and good sport when it comes to board games, so you should go say hi and tell him I sent you.
3/12 – Colony, Woodstock NY (w/ Mason Jennings)
3/20 – Port Jeff Village Center, Port Jefferson NY (w/ Wes Houston, Jim Allen)
3/22 – The Treehouse @ 2A, New York NY (w/ Wes Houston, Jim Allen)
3/29 – JT’s Farmhouse, Bayport NY
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/10 – East End Alliance @ Green Hill Kitchen, Greenport NY
4/11 – Green Hill Kitchen, Greenport NY*
4/30 – The Warehouse, Amityville NY* (w/ Toby Tobias Ensemble, Mark Newman Band)
*w/ the Hillside Airmen